This Weekend!

First off I have to say this has been the rainiest summer I can ever remember.  It has been tough on outdoor events but thank goodness for some luck on Saturday.

On Thursday at lunch I caught Los Straitjackets at lunch along with a performance by the Pontani Sisters in cute navy blue polka dot mini dresses.  Down the street there was also a host of odds and end including free slushies but this was just the beginning.  Plus, the parade to kick off the annual exposition (read travelling rides, etc).

Friday it rained like the ocean was coming to overwhelm us via worlds most boring rain.  Aside here: this is a dry prairie province we get storms with wind to tear your shingles off but drenching rain all day is not usually a summer feature.  So the bands had to pack it in on the street but when I got home I check to see about the show I was planning to attend and what do you know they were starting early because all the bands that didn't get to play in the street were going to play the show that night that originally was intended to only be Hillbilly Casino.

So I headed down early and saw Los Fabulocos, Lee Rocker, and Hillbilly Casino.  The place was filled with the bands and from my impression friends of friends because no one had any idea that the rain would work bring this.  It was amazing and I couldn't quite get over the talent in the room.

Saturday brought cloudy but decent weather and I headed out late on foot to hit the Farmer's Market and see more bands.  So, I wandered down and got myself a Liege Waffle from the waffle van.  They are so good I can't begin to explain.  I missed Eve Hell but caught more of Los Fabulocos and then lucked out and was one of a few people to catch the Du-Rite Aces from Calgary.  They sounded great and look at the back drop for all that awesomeness.

Next was Paul Pigat/Cousin Harley from Vancouver.  They covered some great songs and played some awesome songs from the new CD but the highlight from me was getting to hear them cover Ray Condo's Whatcha Gonna do When there ain't no Swing?

Then I couldn't resist hearing Hillbilly Casino on the outside stage and they did not disappoint. Very cool.  Los Straitjackets and Lee Rocker were the next acts but I was tired by that point and got a snack at the restaurant festival set up in the Square

 and headed home. 

I can't say enough good things about Cars and Guitars it is great fit with Indy and I am really hoping they will continue it next year.  The street party was free and allowed everyone to see some amazing performances.  My wishlist for next year might be a beer garden on the street or at least a few tables and spreading the acts around downtown to places like New City that has the capacity for a bigger show or some cool restaurants that can put up a corner stage.  The Yellowhead Brewery was fantastic but because they are not usually open to the public there was no drop in people or patrons who saw the event was upcoming to the place.  The other option could be to sell some advance passes that could get you in to various locations. 

My Heart is Racing

So yeah just in case you were wondering I work downtown and I love it.  There's a lot that goes on downtown at lunch and after work but today I just read something that put me a little over the moon about being at work downtown this summer.  Cars & Guitars  -finally a reason to care about IndyCar -a music festival that is showcasing some of the best Rockabilly acts around.

The act I'm most excited about is Hillbilly Casino.  Crazily enough I first heard them on Lisa Freemont Street's You Tube Channel but there is also going to be Los Straitjackets, Lee Rocker, Paul Pigat & Cousin Harley, The Pontani Sisters, Alberta locals  Eve Hell, and Raygun Cowboys and the best part is it is all free!  If I didn't live here I'd be jealous. 

I live walking distance from it all (read I can stumble home no parking problems, no DD issues).  All in all it kind of made a rather bland Friday extra special and I can't wait for things to get going.  Right now the Works is on in the Square but coming up is my next favorite festival because it is all the local restaurants out in the Square making me mini lunch things!  Eek summer you are finally here!

Travel Log Part 2

Post script to Saturday.  On Saturday I got asked to dance by a guy named Jose he was drench in sweat but friendly enough.  I think it was a bet to see if I would and normally I would have jumped at the chance regardless but my feet were killing me from standing on my new shoes.  However, he convinced me and then was sorry as I kind of blew him away.  It was fun and funny and since I am recording this for my own senility I thought I better not forget that detail.

Sunday.  On Sunday things were calmer on Sunday and slightly melancholy as approaches the end but those who remain really area all about the music and this is a good thing.  I had been waiting for Sunday because I wanted to see Kim Lenz more than anything and I really enjoyed the All Stars last year and was excited to see what this year held.

K. wanted to get out so we got up on Sunday and went to the Strip.  We visited the gardens at the Bellagio and loitered about Caesar's Place before returning in time for a retro slide show tour of DisneyLand! with Charles Phoenix it was awesome and made me green at the thought of being able to visit Disneyland as day trip kind of attraction.  Living in Canda it is the story of most kids elementary school lives to get to go to Disneyland.

Next up was the jiving contest.  It was packed in the ballroom but I found a place to capture the scene -however the energy seemed to be kind of stalled. It was not at all what I was expecting but from what I understand things this year were rather atypical and that usually it is more exciting.  The couple who won were super cute though and we saw them later when we came downstairs to see Kim Lenz.

That night I wanted to be comfortable so I put on my good old black halter dress and some sparkly accessories.  We were meeting up with a guy we met on Friday night but he was way more interested in talking to K than me so I was mostly worried about getting downstairs late.  However, we were early and K. was less than impressed but it was all worth it.  Kim Lenz is as awesome in person as she is on her CDs and look at that cute skirt!

Next up were the All Stars which was MC'd by Big Sandy. I was thrilled to hear Clyde Stacy sing Honky Tonk Hardwood Floor, Al Hendrix looked cool in his fedora and I really enjoyed seeing Young Jessie, and Roddy Jackson.  The thing that made it even better though was all these performers were back by what they call the "house band" which also includes some of the best players in the hotel that weekend all of whom appeared to be as excited and happy as the crowd.  It was cool to see Deke Dickerson playing saxophone (like what can't he play), Ashley Kingman, Bobby Trimble from the Fly-Rite boys up there as well .  I was pretty wore out though at this point and closed up shop at this point in favor of getting some rest.

Monday, was gorgeous but my feet were in severe need of rehab at this point.  I did a pretty good job of not getting them blistered (I am predisposed to this) but it was like they had carpet burn or something.  I had soaked them in cold water in the hotel room but that didn't help enough.  The real solution came when I put on my new favorite summer sundress and headed down to the pool where after finding a shady spot in the deserted paradise I soaked my feet in the lovely cool water for the better part of an hour waiting for K to come downstairs.  It seems she was not feeling well though and never made it.  I had been all set to do some power shopping that day but in the end we ended up going back to the strip late in the day and seeing the northern part of the strip up to about Circus Circus where it gets all creepy.  From there we caught the bus and I finally got to see Freeemont Street! which was awesome we stopped on the way back to get some food and made it back to the hotel at last to crawl done the long hallway one more time.

We checked out and left for home the next AM.

Conflicting Interests

So as you may know the Viva Schedule came out last week.  I for one was estatic but found I couldn't logically sort out my priorites so I set about reformatting it for myself and thought you  might appreciate a copy for yourself.  It is broken down so that if 4 events are taking place at once you can see your choices and potentially select your priority so that you could with any luck weed it down into an itinerary for the day when you are done making your selections. 

Enjoy!  and if you want the Excel file let me know and I will send it to you :)

A Ticket to the Show

So it is official.  I booked the hotel, flights and bought the tickets and I am going to Viva for the 2nd time!  It was just too much fun last year -I had to go again.  This year my friend K is coming along -she loves cars and was intrigued by my pictures from last year.

My goals for this year are:

* Finish sewing my vintage sundress I started for last year

* Finish another dress
* Sew a swim suit wrap
* Sew blouse from vintage pattern I bought last year
* Experience Freemont Street Experience
* Go to Double Down and Frankie's Tiki Room

* Find a portable dock for my ipod so I can play music in my room
* Meet people I don't know
* Take more pictures
* Buy more CDs
* and of course last and of mixed importance be "swimsuit ready" ie diet & exercise

Truthfully, I don't wear vintage clothes because I don't really enjoy shopping for them and they all seem to be incredibly small but I have collected some nice vintage bangles since last year and I'm enjoying that.  Sewing at this point seems like the smartest option because repro leaves me wearing things that I will envitably see someone thinner wearing.  I've got a swimsuit that will work and I'm thinking I might buy some repro shorts of a non-descript style and pair with some cute blouses.